Coryphella lineata (Lovén, 1846)

Coryphella lineata

Description: The body is translucent white in colour with thin lines of opaque white pigment. The cerata are numerous and arranged in clusters along the sides of the body. They are filled with digestive gland of variable colour, red, red-brown or yellow-orange. There are normally two lines, or a series of dashes of white pigment on the sides of the cerata and they have a ring of white pigment below the tip. Typically about 20mm-30mm in length, but well-fed individuals may be larger.

Habitat: A common species in spring and early summer in shallow exposed sites and deeper water which is exposed to tidal streams. The normal food is the hydroid Tubularia indivisa but other hydroids are sometimes eaten, such as Corymorpha nutans. Often found in mixed populations with Coryphella browni. The spawn consists of a thread which is laid in a wavy spiral.

Distribution: Found throughout the British Isles, and also south as far as the Mediterranean Sea.